8 Ways to Not be Sad

Sadness is a feeling that is brought about by different situations and causes. It is described to be the opposite of happiness, where we experience moments of glee and optimism towards life. However, apart from being a form of human emotion, sadness can also be a choice, just the same way as being happy. There are ways in which you can avoid finding yourself in a state of sadness, despite being exposed to various environments that trigger the said feeling.

Shying away from sadness has a lot of perks that not everyone can see. Knowing how to avoid it not only keeps you from feeling down, but also prevents you from attracting other negative thoughts and emotions that may lead to more complex situations, including anxiety and depression.

If you are looking for ways to not be sad, then here are 8 that may be of great help:

1. Go out.
Going out is one of the best remedies to sadness because it does many things to you. First, it keeps you preoccupied with the sights you get to see while on your journey, may it be to a tourist destination or just a walk in the park. Second, it keeps you moving physically. Physical movement boosts the release of endorphins, known as the hormones that make people feel happy.

After some time of physical movement, and the satisfaction brought by seeing a lot of sights that are not often within your reach, you then find yourself no longer feeling sad. In fact, you’d even forget that you actually experienced the blues prior to going out.

2. Spend time with the people you love.
Another way to ease off the sadness is to be with the people you care about. These may be your family or friends whom you consider to be your support group. Tell them what’s making you down, so that they’d understand what you are going through and give you the kind of assistance that you specifically need to lighten up your burden.

A support group helps a lot in getting rid of sadness because they give you different perspectives on how to play the game of life. They also lend their ears to hear out your concerns, through their presence, you no longer feel like you have to go through the misery alone.

3. Adopt a pet.
Speaking of support, if you’re not a people person but would want to know how to manage your sadness, then why not get a pet instead? Pets are great companions, and even scientific studies show that having one in your home helps brighten up totally dark days in a person’s life.

Pets keep you preoccupied; they lead you to seeing simple joys, and they also stay by your side in times you feel lonely. Perhaps you can get a dog, a cat, or even a couple of birds to give life to your home.

4. Join a club.
Joining a club is also a good way to manage sadness, as these are groups where you meet people with common interests and issues. Together you can talk about your whims and desires, as well as the things that are making you sad, and find ways to address them as a group.

Meeting people in clubs or organizations is also ideal when facing sadness, as sometimes you feel more comfortable opening up to people who do not know you personally. At the same time, these people, being strangers, can be more capable of giving valuable insights to your concerns mainly because they don’t judge you based on your background.

5. Eat sweets!
Perhaps this is one of the best ways to keep yourself from being sad: eat sweets. Sweets also release hormones that make you forget the feeling of sadness and at the same time boost your energy. You then become more motivated and optimistic in dealing with life’s atrocities at the moment.

However, you may want to opt for the healthy sweets which we can get from eating whole fresh foods, such as fruits instead of processed candy to keep your health in good shape.

6. Read a book.
Reading books can be boring for some, but it also helps in getting rid of the blues, especially when you are exposed in a gloomy environment (think about rainy days where you cannot go out and explore the wild!). It is through reading that you can get away from reality even for a moment, and get engrossed at a whole new fantasy world.

It is also through reading that you get to relax a bit; it likewise gives you a few life lessons, either from the way the characters handle their scenes in the story you chose to spend time on.

7. Do a chore.
Blocking sadness can also be done by keeping yourself busy, like doing a chore. This works best especially when you are sad but don’t want to be with anybody or go out at the moment. Taking on a household chore, such as cleaning the house or tending the garden allows you to do some sort of meditation, as you become absorbed in completing the task and doing it right.

Doing chores also help you develop a sense of achievement once the tasks are completed, and having achieved something will definitely make you smile.

8. Learn a skill.
Aside from doing chores, you may also want to learn a new skill while dealing with your sadness. This may be in the form of cooking, painting, playing music, or anything that triggers your passion. Learning a skill allows your mind to be preoccupied and become focused on something productive, and as you learn, you also step away from the despair you have been previously experiencing.

Final note

To feel sad is normal, don’t forget that. But it can be managed and even kept to a minimum if you choose to do so. You are left to decide whether to let it linger in your heart and mind, or let it go and be happy and optimistic about what life has in store for you.